Phil Mickelson and Rory McIlroy get down with the locals (Picture: Getty Images)

Excruciating publicity stunts are par for the course in sport – especially golf – but this one tops the lot.

Golfing superstars Phil Mickelson and Rory McIlroy are, of course, handsomely rewarded for their appearances around the world but surely no amount of money justifies agreeing to take part in this travesty.

The pair are the star attractions at this week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in the United Arab Emirates, and were wheeled out for a pre-tournament stage show that saw them get down with the locals in cringeworthy and hilarious fashion.

The result is a sort of stilted Arab Riverdance featuring embarrassing uncle-style wedding-party manoeuvres – with a spot of nine-iron twirling (of course!) thrown in for good measure.